Fluid operated tool



April 5, 1932.

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April 5, 1932. G. g. PEARSON FLUID OPERATED TOOL 5 Sheets-sl'leet 3Filed Oct. 4, 1950 Filed Oct. 4, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 G. C. PEARSONFLUID OPERATED TOOL April 5, 1932.

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Patented Apr. 5, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE GUSTAV C. PEARSON, OIDENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO GARDNER-DENVER COM- PANY, OF DENVER,GOLORADO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE FLUID OPERATED TOOL Applicationfiled October 4, 1930. I Serial No. 486,306.

The present invention has relation more particularly to a hammer toolfor automatically striking a single blow; a succession of blowsrequiringthe manual operation of a control by the operator of the tool. It isparticularly adapted for breaking up small bodies of ore or the like,permitting its removal from mines. It is the usual practice to deliverthe material to a grizzly or screen through which it passes to the minecar. Obviously rocks or lumps of a size too great to pass through thescreen or grizzly will lodge therein and it is the custom for a workmanto break these chunks with a sledge hammer into pieces small enough topass through the screen. The present invention is applicable for thispurpose of breaking the rock and it has been found it will strike a muchharder blow than can be delivered by a sledge, and

\ without the manual labor necessary to operate the latter. relations.

The principal object, therefore, of the present invention is to providea novel and eifective tool of this character and for such purposes asabove outlined.

A further and important object is to provide a novel, simple andeffective distributing valve mechanism peculiarly useful for the definedpurposes, but also applicable quite generally to fluid actuated tools.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a view in elevation of thepreferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 2-2 of the Figure1 showing the valve chest in elevation.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view at right angles to Figure 2.on an enlarged scale and including in the section the distributingvalve.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line H of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional View through the cylinder memberalone.

Figure 7 is a lower end view of the same.

Figure 8 is a view in rear elevation of the plug member.

It is, of course, useful in other Figure 9 is a side elevation of thesame.

Figure 10 is an end view of the valve chest, parts being broken away.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 1111 of Figure10.

Figure 12 is a sectional view on the line 1212 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view through the distributingvalve.

Figure ll is an end elevation of said valve.

Figure 15 is a longitudinal sectional view through the tool,diagrammatic in its charactor and illustrating the relation of the partson the initiation of operation of the tool.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 but showing the tool when thepiston is at the beginning of its working or downward structure.

In the embodiment disclosed a cylinder member is employed that is in theform of a barrel 17 This barrel has a longitudinal bore that forms apiston chamber 18. The front end of said bore is reduced as shown at 19,while the rear end portion of the bore is enlarged or counter-bored asshown at 20. Coupled to the front end of the barrel 17 by a collar 21 isa chuck 22 designed to receive the hexagonal or other shaped shank 24 ofa breaking steel or tool 25. As shown this steel has a collar 26 locatedbehind a tool retainer 27 which allows the tool or steel to have alimited longitudinal movement in the chuck while preventng its completedisengagement therefrom.

A piston 28 is mounted to reciprocate in the piston chamber 18 and has aforward reduced hammer extension 29 operating in the portion 19 of thebarrel, said hammer extension being adapted to strike the rear end orshank 24: of the breaking steel.

The counter-bore contains a distributing valve. A cylindrical plugforming a valve support and designated 30 is located longitudinally inthe counter-bore and is of smaller diameter than the same. This plug hasat its lower end a flange or head 31 that snugly fits into the lower endof the counterbore 20. Fitted into said counter-bore above the flange 31and bearing against its margin is a valve chest sleeve 32 which extendsto the rear end of the counter-bore. The internal diameter of this chestis greater than the external diameter of the plug except at its upperend where said chest has an internal flange 33 snugly fitted to theupper end of the plug 30. The space formed between the plug and chestconstitutes a valve chamber 34. In this chamber is a reciprocatorytubular distributing valve 35 sliding on the plug 30 and on the interiorof the chest.

Abutting the rear end of the barrel 17 and extending over the rear endof the valve chest is a disc or washer 36 which in turn is borne againstby a rear head 37 formed with oppositely extending hand grips 38. On oneside of the head 37 is formed a nipple 39 into which is screwed acoupling 40 for a supply hose that is, of course, intended to bringmotive fluid, such as air under pressure, to the tool. The nipple 39 istherefore provided with a bore 40A and said bore is formed with a valveseat 41. The bore communicates with a port 42 that opens into a chamber43 formed in the lower end of the back head 37. This chamber 43 is inopen communication with here 44 formed longitudinally in the plug 30. Itwill be noted that the bore 44 does not extend entirely through the plugso that it is shut off from the piston chamber 18.

Lateral ports 45 opening through the plug from the bore 44 communicatewith an annular groove 46 formed in the rear portion of the periphery ofthe plug. Ports 47 01"? larger area than the ports 45 open into a largergroove 48 formed in the periphery of the lower portion of the plugbehind the flange 31. Said flange 31 has, outside the plug 30,distributing ports 49 that open from the bottom of the valve chamber 34into the top of the piston chamber 18. The walls of the barrel orcylinder member 17 are also provided with one or more longitudinaldistributing passageways 50 that open into the lower end of the pistonchamber 18 and at their upper ends communicate with ports 51 openingthrough the valve chest into the upper end of the valve chamber 34.These ports communicate with an interior annular groove 52 formed in theupper end of the valve chest 32. Said valve chest also has anintermediate annular groove 53 from which opens one or more exhaustports 54 extending through the valve chest and barrel to atmosphere. Thelower end of the valve chest 32 has an annular groove or chamber 55 andthe distributing valve 35 has an outstanding annular flange 56 thatreciprocates in the chamber 55. The valve 35 eX- ternally has arelatively wide, shallow groove 57 that alternately provides a means ofcommunication between the groove 52 and groove 53, and between thegroove or chamber 55 and said groove 53, as the valve is reciprocated.Finally there is provided in the rear portion of the barrel 17 anexhaust passageway 58 opening into the rear portion of the pistonchamber 18, but below its lower end and having communication by port 59with the upper end of the groove or chamber 55 of the valve chest 32.

Referring now to the back head 37 and handles 38, it will be noted thatthe supply passageway 40 is controlled by a valve 60 which cooperateswith the valve seat 41 to close the passageway and is urged to said seatby a spring 61 bearing against it. It has a stem 62 slidable in the head37 and borne against by a lug 63 on a hand lever 64, pivoted at 65 inthe head. This hand lever has a grip portion 66 that lies along one ofthe handles 38 and is adapted to be pressed into the same by theoperator holding the handles 38.

The operation of the structure may be outlined as follows: The tool isintended to be held in a substantially upright or upstanding positionwith the steel on the rock to be broken or other material to be operatedon. When in such a position the parts are substantially shown in Figures2 and 3, that is to say the piston 28 is at the bottom of the pistonchamber 18, the distributing valve 35 is the bottom or" its chamber 34and the throttle valve 60 is closed. It now the oprator holding the toolby the handles 38, presses downwardly on the grip 66 he opens thethrottle valve 60. Therefore air or other fluid under pressure willenter the chamber 43 and the bore 44 of the plug 30. As the valve 35 isnow at its lowermost position, the outlet ports 45 and groove 46 are incon1- munieation with the groove 52 so that this motive fluid will passtherethrough and through the passageway 50 to the lower end or" thepiston chamber 18. Consequently the fluid will operate on the lower endof the piston 28 and elevate it. At this time it will be noted that theexhaust passageway 58 from the upper portion of the piston chamber 18 isopen to atmosphere through the port 59, chamber 55, groove 57, groove53, and exhaust port 54. Therefore there is no material resistance tothe upward movement of the piston until it has passed the lower end ofthe passageway 58 that opens into the piston chamber 18. lVhen it haspassed this point it begins to build up the pressure of the motive fluidtrapped in the upper end of the piston chamber 18 and this fluid actingthrough the ports 49 and against the lower end of the distributingvalve, including the flange 56 which provides a relatively large area,the distributing valve 35 is elevated, closing the ports 4.5 and groove46 off from the groove 52. The further supply of motive fluid to thelower end of the piston chamber 18, is thus prevented. At the same timethe lower end of the distributing valve 35 being elevated allowscommunication between the ports 47 and groove 48, and the Lildistributing ports 49, so that the motive fluid which enters the bore 44of the plug now gains access to the upper end of the piston chamber 18and operating on the upper end of the piston drives it downwardly on itsworking stroke. The fluid in advance of the piston escapes through thedistributing passageway 50, ports 51, grooves 52, 57, and 53 to theexhaust port 54 and thence to atmosphere-all as indicated in Figure 16.When the piston 28 delivers its blow, the piston chamber 18 above it is,of course, filled with live air or other active motive fluid. The pistonstops and cannot return because of this pressure upon it. Nor can thedistributing valve drop because this same pressure is still against itslower end including the area of the flange 56. The tool, therefore,becomes non-active. The operator now permits the throttle valve to closeby releasing the grip 66. When this occurs the live motive fluid is cutoff from the distributing valve chamber and as the fluid under pressurein the upper end of the piston chamber 18 leaks out, the pressuretherein becomes reduced so that the distributing valve 35 becomesunsupported and drops by gravity to its lowermost position. The operatorcan now reopen the throttle valve 60 and the above described operationwill be repeated.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation andmany advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art without further description, and it will beunderstood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minordetails of construction may be resorted to without departing from thespirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

What I claim, is:

1. In a fluid operated tool, the comb nation with a cylinder memberhaving a piston chamber and a reciprocatory piston operating in thechamber, of means including an automatic distributing valve fordistributing fluid alternately to the piston chamber on opposite s desof the piston, said means automatically stalling the valve and therebythe piston at the completion of each reciprocation. and a manual valvefor controlling the motive fluid supply to the distributing means.

2. In a fluid operated tool, the combination with a cylinder memberadapted to be maintained in a generally upright position and having alongitudinally disposed piston chamber and a reciprocatory pistonoperating in the chamber, of means including an automatic distributingvalve for distributing flu d alternately to the piston chamber onopposite sides of the piston, said means automatcially stalling thevalve and thereby the piston at the completion of each downward stroke,and a manual vale for controlli.

the motive fluid supply to the distributing means.

3. In a fluid operated tool, the combination with a cylinder memberhaving a piston chamber and a piston that reciprocates in the chamber,of a distributing valve chamber, distributing passageways leading fromthe valve chamber to the piston chamber on opposite sides of the piston,an exhaust passageway leading from the valve, chamber, a motive fluidsupply passageway leading to the valve chamber, a throttle valvecontrolling the supply passageway, and an automatic distributing valvein the valve chamber for alternately allowing communication between thesupply passageway and the distributing passageways and for connectingone of the distributing passagesways to the exhaust passageway whilewithholding at all times communication between the other distribut ngpassageway and the exhaust to maintain pressure in the piston chamberand against one end of the piston to thereby hold the piston until thethrottle valve is closed.

4. In a fluid operated tool, the combination with a cylinder memberhaving a piston chamber and a piston that rec procates in the chamber.of a distributing valve chamber, distributing passageways leading fromthevalve chamber to the piston chamber on opposite sides of the piston,an exhaust passageway leading from the valve chamber, a motive fluidsupply passageway leading to the valve chamber, a throttle valvecontrolling the supply passageway and an automaticdistributing valve nthe valve chamher for alternately allowing communication between thesupply passageway and the distributing passageways and for connectingone of the distributing passageways to the exhaust passageway whilewithholding at all times communication between the other distr butingpassageway and the exhaust to maintain pressure in the piston chamberand against one end of the piston to thereby hold the piston until thethrottle valve is closed. said valve having a pressure face open at alltimes to the end of the piston chamber in which pressure is thusmaintained and such pressure acting on the face to hold the valveagainst further automat c movement and prevent further distribution ofthe fluid until the throttle valve is closed and again opened.

5. In a fluid operated tool, the combination with a cylinder memberhaving a piston chamber and a piston that reciprocates in the chamber,said cylinder being maintained substantially vertical during theoperation of the tool, a distributing valve chamber, distributingpassageways leading from the valve chamber to the piston chamber onopposite sides of the piston, an exhaust passageway leading from thevalve chamber, a motive fluid supply passageway leading to the valvechamber, a throttle valve controlling the supply passageway, and anautomatic distributing valve in the valve chamber for alternatelyallowing communication between the supply passageway and thedistributing passageways and for connecting one of the distributingpassageways to the exhaust passageway while withholding at all timescommunication between the other distributing passageway and the exhaustto maintain pressure in the piston chamber and against the upper end ofthe piston to thereby hold the piston in its lowermost position untilthe throttle valve is closed.

6. In a fluid operated tool, the combination with a cylinder memberhaving a piston chamber and a piston that reciprocates in the chamber,said cylinder being maintained substantially vertical during theoperation of the tool, a distributing valve chamber, distributingpassageways leading from the valve chamber to the piston chamber onopposite sides of the piston, an exhaust passageway leading from thevalve chamber, a motive fluid supply passageway leading to the valvechamber, a throttle valve controlling the supply passageway, and anautomatic distributing valve in the valve chamber for alternatelyallowing communication between the supply passageway and thedistributing passageways and for connecting one of the distributingpassageways to the exhaust passageway while withholding at all times communication between the other distributing passageway and the exhaust tomaintain pressure in the piston chamber and against the upper end of thepiston to thereby hold the piston in its lowermost position until thethrottle valve is closed, said valve having a pressure face open at alltimes to the end of the piston chamber in which pressure is thusmaintained and such pressure acting on the face to hold thevalve-against further automatic movement and prevent furtherdistributing of the fluid until the throttle valve is closed and againopened.

v7. In a fluid operated tool, the combination with a cylinder memberhaving a longitudinally disposed piston chamber and a longitudinallydisposed valve chamber, the rear end of the former having directconnection with the front end of the latter, said cylinder beingmaintained substantially vertical during the operation of the tool, areciproca-tory piston in the piston chamber, a distributing passagewayleading from the valve chamber to the front end of the piston chamber,exhaust permitting means leading from the valve chamber, an exhaustpassageway leading from the rear end of the piston chamber to the valvechamber, and a mo tive fluid supply passageway opening into the valvechamber, a throttle valve controlling the supply passageway, andan'automatic distributing valve in the valve chamber that is movable toa position to open the distributing passageway to the front end of thepiston chamber and close the exhaust passageway from the rear end of thepiston chamber and is also movable to a position to open the connectionbetween the latters rear end and the valve chamber and close saidexhaust passageway from the rear end, said distributing valve having apressure surface that is operated on by the motive fluid to hold thevalve in its latter position and stop the piston at the bottom of itsstroke.

8. In a fluid operated tool, the combination with a cylinder memberhaving a longitudinally disposed piston chamber, a valve chamber and areciprocatory piston in the piston chamber, said cylinder beingmaintained substantially vertical during the operation of the tool,means for supplying motive fluid to the valve chamber, distributingpassageways leading from the valve chamber to the piston chamber onopposite sides of the piston, and a distributing valve in the valvechamber for alternately directing motive fluid from the supplypassageway to the distributing passageways, said valve having a pressureface operated on by motive fluid when introduced into the upper end ofthe piston chamber to hold the distributing valve in raised position aslong as the motive fluid is supplied to the supply passageway by theopen throttle valve, and thereby hold the piston at the bottom. of itsdownward stroke under the influence of said motive fluid, and said valvegravitating to its lower position to admit motive fluid to the lower endof the piston chamber when the throttle valve is closed and motive fluidis thereby cut oil from the valve chamber.

9. In a fluid operated tool, the combination with a cylinder memberhaving a piston cham ber and a piston operating therein, a valve chamberand distributing passageways leading from the valve chamber at spacedpoints to the piston chamber on opposite sides of the piston therein, ofa plug extending into the piston chamber and having a motive fluidsupply bore and lateral outlets at difl'erent points for respectivelydelivering motive fluid to the distributing passageways, and adistributing valve in the valve chamber and slidable on the plug toalternately establish and cut ofl' communication between the ports anddistributing passageways.

10. In a fluid operated tool, the combination with a cylinder memberhaving a longitudinal bore, the front end portion of which constitutes apiston chamber, of a plug located in the rear end of the bore and ofless diameter than the same, forming a distributing valve chamber, saidplug having a supporting flange, forming a wall between the twochambers, said plug having a motive fluid supply bore with lateral portsopening through the peripheral wall at different distances from the endsof the plug, the flange of the plug having a port outside the plugforming a distributing passageway to the rear end of the piston chamber,said cylinder member also having a distributing passage way between therear portion of the valve chamber and the front portion of the pistonchamber, and a tubular valve that reciprocates on the plug andalternately closes the lateral ports therethrough.

11. In a fluid operated tool, the combination with a cylinder memberhaving a longitudinal bore, the front portion of which constitutes apiston chamber, the rear portion of said bore being enlarged, of a plugin said enlarged portion and of less diameter than the same, the frontend of said plug having a flange that substantially fits the front endof the enlarged portion, a valve chest sleeve fitted into the enlargedportion of the bore behind the flange and having a bore of greaterdiameter than the plug, said flange having a port therethrough outsidethe plug for directing motive fluid to the rear end of the pistonchamber, a distributing passageway leading from the rear portion of thevalve chest to the front portion of the piston chamber, said plug havinga motive fluid supply bore and lateral ports opening through the plugwithin the front and rear portions of the valve chest, and a tubularvalve that is mounted to reciprocate in the plug and alternately openand close the lateral ports to thereby alternately supply and out offthe motive fluid to the flange port and to the distributing passageway.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

GUSTAV C. PEARSON.

